Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Filipino-German big man Christian Standhardinger banners Gilas Pilipinas’ 12-man lineup against Iran on Thursday in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Standhardinger will be teaming up with five other big men in first-timer Ian Sangalang, JP Erram, Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga and Asi Taulava as the Philippines braces for a titanic matchup with the 7-foot-2 Hamed Haddadi and the mighty Iranians, who are coming off a silver medal finish in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Guards Alex Cabagnot and Scottie Thompson will also be making their Gilas debuts vs Iran with Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, Marcio Lassiter and Allein Maliksi joining them.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio announced the lineup Wednesday morning.
Despite rushing to meet Fiba requirements and be cleared to play as local, Greg Slaughter did not make it to the final roster.
Slaughter hurt his left ankle on Wednesday during Barangay Ginebra’s game against NorthPort in the PBA Governors’ Cup that deemed his status against Iran as questionable.
Slaughter’s health status may have also led to Guiao selecting Standhardinger over crack guard Stanley Pringle as Gilas’ naturalized player.